Abstract
Objetivo
Estudiar el impacto en la salud física y psíquica de la violencia contra la mujer en la pareja.
Diseño
Transversal.
Emplazamiento
Centros de atención primaria de 3 provincias de la Comunidad Autónoma Andaluza.
Participantes
Un total de 425 mujeres de entre 18 y 65 años asistentes a 6 centros. Se elisieron aleatoriamente sisuiendo el mismo procedimiento en cada centro.
Mediciones principales
Cuestionario estructurado autoadministrado que recose, además de las variables sociodemográficas, variables relacionadas con el maltrato e indicadores de salud física (presencia de enfermedad crónica y tipo, intervenciones quirúrgicas a lo largo de la vida y días pasados en cama), psíquica (morbilidad psíquica, consumo de tranquilizantes, antidepresivos, analgésicos, alcohol y drogas no legales), salud autopercibida y apoyo social.
Resultados
La frecuencia de maltrato fue del 31,5%. Las mujeres víctimas de maltrato presentaron mayor riesgo de padecer enfermedades crónicas. La asociación entre el maltrato y pasar más de 7 días en cama fue estadísticamente significativa (odds ratio [OR] = 2,96; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 1,00-8,76). El maltrato presentó una asociación significativa con la morbilidad psíquica (OR = 2,68; IC del 95%, 1,60-4,49) y con la salud autopercibida (OR = 1,89; IC del 95%, 1,04-3,43) tras ajustar por otras variables.
Conclusiones
Los resultados de este trabajo muestran que el maltrato global se asocia con una peor salud psíquica y una peor salud autopercibida. Las lesiones físicas no son la única "prueba" de la existencia de violencia doméstica. Los profesionales de atención primaria pueden desempeñar un papel esencial para ayudar a las mujeres que sufren abusos de sus parejas.
Palabras clave: Violencia doméstica, Mujer maltratada, Salud de la mujer, Salud mental, Atención primaria
Abstract
Objective
To study the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on women's physical and psychological health.
Design
Cross-sectional study.
Setting
Primary care centers in 3 Andalusian provinces.
Patients
A total of 425 women, aged 18 to 65 years, were recruited following the same randomisation process in 6 primary care centers.
Measurements
A self-administered structured questionnaire for this study was used to gather the information. As well as sociodemographic variables, the instrument included questions about IPV, physical health indicators (chronic disease and type, lifetime surgeries, days in bed), psychological health (psychological morbidity, use of tranquilizers, antidepressants, pain killers, alcohol and recreational drugs), self-perceived health and social support.
Results
Of 425 women, 31.5% ever experienced any type of partner violence. Women experiencing IPV were more likely to suffer a chronic disease. IPV was significantly associated with a number of adverse health outcomes, including spending more than 7 days in bed in the last three months (ORa=2.96; CI 95%, 1.00-8.76), psychological morbidity (ORa=2.68; CI 95%, 1.60-4.49) and worse self-perceived health (ORa=1.89; CI 95%, 1.04-3.43), after controlling for potential confounding variables.
Conclusions
This study shows that ever experiencing IPV is associated with a worse psychological and self-perceived health. Physical injuries are not the only «evidence» of the presence of IPV. Primary health care proffessionals are in a privileged position to help women who are abused by their partners.
Key words: Domestic violence, Battered women, Women's health, Mental health, Primary health care
Fuente de financiación: Red Temática de Investigación de Salud y Género (ISCIII) (G03/042) y Red de Investigación en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (C03/09).
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